Sasha4

Dear SR family and my beloved Dee

I just wanted to update you all.
At the start of the lock down here in the UK, I really worried about my mental health.
I couldn't see how I would get through it.
I wouldn't drink I don't think.
It was living with the self hatred thought 24/7.

Anyway I have started walking everyday.
I set myself a target everyday and off I go.
I track my journey with an online app thing on my phone.
Each walk a give a different name.

I'm not fast by any means.
Just a steady pace.
I feel really good when I am approaching my last few steps near home.
When I get in, its a relief to be home.
I enjoy being back.

I feel really proud when I look at my route and the stats.
I've never done this before as in had a daily exercise.
It's only being in lockdown that has given me the opportunity to do this.
I am grateful for the opportunity.
Something good out of something bad I guess.

Ive had bleeding toes and wobbly legs.
However every night I go to bed I fall asleep smiling looking forward to the next day when I can walk and make myself proud again.

I don't want any more death and illness from Covid 19 but I don't want to go back to normal.
I like this normal that I have now.

Anyway thats enough rambling from me.

I love everyone here and wish everyone the best
xx

BasketCase69

Way to go and conquer not only sobriety but also some physical challenges. 2 months ago I could barely roam the yard and now doing 5+ miles a day.

Sasha4

Well done to you too.
My longest walk was 8 miles.
I didn't think I was going to make it home, but I was determined.
It's so great having a focus everyday.
Do you record your walks?

DriGuy

Yeah, I kind of like the new normal too. When they lift the orders, I'll probably continue with it on my own.

I have a trail system a mile from my house. It was laid out by mountain bikers on county land, with hills and creeks. It's in a wild area. I seldom meet anyone else when I'm there. I met a bear on the trail last fall. The bikers advertise it as 16 miles of rocks and roots. I have a hiking app, called Map My Tracks, which records duration, distance, average speed, elevation gain, and calories burned.

It sounds like you're in a good place in your head.

Kaily

Way to go Sasha.

l walk with my dog everyday, usually for about 2 hours, sometimes more. In early sobriety I walked all day long to the point of exhaustion, anything not to drink.

Gettingcloser

What a wonderful, new perspective, Sasha! I am also taking away some golden nuggets from this unusual situation we live in now. Happy to be sober, that is for sure!

entropy1964

Exercise is the best medicine. But I'm sorry about the bleeding toes. Some new walking shoes perhaps?

Great job. And keep it up. Maybe 8 miles is not a daily goal but a few miles a day is doable for most of us. Dogs are great motivators to walk too. Mine sets a brutal pace! Haha.

Hope1989

Hello!

Congratulations very much on your walks!

I also took this approach. And like you, I also want this coronavirus thing to be done, but a lot of us needed this time to actually get our... **** together. And in a weird way, I think that some of us with this disease has seized the opportunity.

Lets keep going!

Sasha4

Thanks everyone.

I have this fear that I won't sleep.
i always drank to put me to sleep.

I have taken prescription sleeping tablets for the last 4 years.

I decided I wanted to come off them.
I started cutting down and for over a week now, i have not had one.

I was also made redundant from that company that has a big red 3 and an M in its name.
It was last July though, not as a result of covid 19.

The absolute slobbering over their masks on linked in and in the media made me so angry.
They treat their workers like crap.

Walking has made that anger more manageable.
Less time to read rubbish like 'not all super heroes wear masks. Some superheroes make them'.

Sasha4

I would love a dog but I work full time when I work.
I am part of a scheme where I can borrow a dog.

I looked after my ex partners dog when he was in rehab.
I loved it.
She was an old dog. She was 14 years old. She had arthritis and took pregabalin and celebrex.

However when she ran, she did run fast.
She had a favourite route too.
Each time we went towards the favourite route she would get giddy with excitement.
Almost like she was saying 'are we really, really going my favourite way?'.

She slept on a mat in my bedroom.
I used to cover her with a towel warmed on the radiator.

I wish I could see her again xx

Anna

Sasha,

I'm began long walks at the beginning of my recovery, and all these years later, I've never stopped. I can't say enough about the benefits of walking. I reconnected with my community, with nature, and with myself. My husband often walks with me and those are times when we are not interrupted by other things so it's a great opportunity to really talk and listen to each other. Also, as I've gotten older, I realize that walking is something that is so beneficial to physical health and something that's not hard on knees, back, hips, etc. Yay to you for discovering the joy of walking and clearing your head.

Steely

That a really good idea Sasha. I'm going to start do same. There's a park just up the road.

Naming each walk is a really beautiful idea. Each walk would have meaning.

Best exercise/cog exercise I've seen in a long time. Thanks.

Steely

And thank you Anna. Yours too. Definitely going to give it a go. Take my camera just in case.

Dee74

hI Sasha - I'm really glad walking is giving you so much benefit! Awesome!

I always overdo stuff like that tho and end up in pain for days - I discovered the hard way 10 miles is not always two times good as 5 LOL

be well,
D

CRRHCC

Good job! When values and purpose trump your addiction, there is no addiction! Continue to empower yourself and regain control with direct healthy behaviors that you have control over and find valuable.

Sobertoday54

5:58 am in Kentucky. 24 more sober hours for me today please.
Just made the coffee.

Briansy

Hi Sasha,

It's very interesting that you post about walking in the lock down as I have experienced very similar benefits to you. The weather here in London has been nothing short of blissful and that no doubt contributes to it but I had been doing it through the winter in walking part of the way home from work - covering anything from 3-9 miles. I continued this in the lockdown and find it amazing how much of a feeling of well being it creates. For me, I have a goal of controlling calories and trying to lose some fat before putting on muscle when the gyms open up again. So there is a sense of achieving something for the long term. Not just the immediate gratification of having gotten some exercise. It also allows me to listen to podcasts and just happily zone out for long periods. I have had a few days where I have done two walks - one in the morning and one in the evening, both around 8-10K - that's a hell of a lot of calories! I also find that it's great for my skin. And unlike running you don't have to worry as much about kitting out for it or showering after etc.

In the last couple of days I have somewhat counteracted the positive effects by feasting on chocolate. Easter Eggs are going for insanely cheap prices in supermarkets at the moment - problem is I eat the entire egg in one go and the two chocolate bars that come with it - not good!

Steely

8:40pm sydney australia.

Sober at last.
Never thought the day would come.
Thought I was incorrigible.
Sober at last.